FMS student’s Eagle Scout project to help preschool
-
Jillian Hartzog began working on her BSA Eagle Scout project last weekend. It will be a mobile music wall for Cedar Bluff Preschool when completed. - Photo submitted
-
Jillian is pictured with her numerous Merit Badges. - Photo submitted
Jillian Hartzog jumped at the chance to join Scouts BSA two years ago — and today she is working toward its highest achievement, the Eagle Scout rank.
Jillian, now 12 and a virtual seventh-grade student at Farragut Middle School, was “one of the first to sign up when Scouts BSA opened up for girls,” said her mother, Jeanne Ann Hartzog, one of the leaders for Troop 946 — which not only is her daughter’s Troop, but also the Troop for 20 other area female Scouts meeting at Hardin Valley Church of Christ.
“I love the outdoors and I love helping others,” said Jillian, who currently is working toward her Eagle Scout designation, the Pinnacle Award for Scouts BSA, by constructing an outdoor music wall to be donated to Cedar Bluff Preschool offering hands-on percussion instruments for children to explore an early love of music.
“I love the opportunities that Scouting offers,” she said.
Jillian advertised the project and a “wish list” on the social media site Nextdoor.com. Many in the community stepped up to donate a variety of musical instruments and implements, which Jillian began putting together this past weekend. She is hoping to complete the project before the end of April.
“The Farragut community always steps up to help.” Jillian said, noting early on in the project’s timeline they had already accumulated pots, pans, car keys, paint, fence sections and buckets.
One key encourager has been Jillian’s grandmother, Wanda Simandl, a retired elementary school music teacher. “She, and her grandfather, Ron (Simandl) a Town of Farragut “founding father”), are both really proud of her,” Wanda said.
To qualify for the Eagle rank, Scouts must have at least 21 Merit Badges — Jillian has completed 78 — be active in a Troop for at least two years, serve as a leader within the Troop, serve the community for at least 18 hours and plan and execute an Eagle project.
The COVID-19 shutdowns have allowed Jillian to earn a high number of Merit Badges from across the nation.
“It opened up a lot of virtual classes that I might not have been able to take,” Jillian said of an aviation class at Pearl Harbor, a forestry class in Boston and an oceanography class in California.
“It has been a good way to try new things I might not normally try,” she added.
Once Jillian earns the Eagle rank, she plans to continue being active in Scouts and helping newer Scouts find a love for the outdoors and for community service.
Jillian’s father, Kevin Hartzog, also is very proud of her, Jeanne Ann said. Her little brother, Graham, is following in her footsteps as a Cub Scout, as Jillian joined that organization three years ago.
Jeanne Ann said the Troop is “always looking for girls who love to be outside and have a desire to try new things.”
For more information, visit Troop 946’s Facebook page under “Scouts, BSA Troop 946 for Girls.”
